Understanding REET
When OPAL board president Tim Fuller read the article “San Juan islanders look to REET funds as affordable housing savior” in the Journal of the San Juans, he was concerned that readers would get the wrong impression.
When OPAL board president Tim Fuller read the article “San Juan islanders look to REET funds as affordable housing savior” in the Journal of the San Juans, he was concerned that readers would get the wrong impression.
OPAL is holding a full rebid including a general contractor and sub-contractors. During the first bidding process, the majority of bids came in over budget, with numerous trades having not submitted bids at all.
To read the full article in the Islands’ Sounder click here.
Last year, the groundwork for a solution to the housing crisis in San Juan county was laid when voters approved a tax to fund affordable housing projects. Local nonprofits, which already help to solve the housing crisis, are considering requesting funds to provide more reasonably-priced residences in the county.
OPAL Community Land Trust Executive Director Lisa Byers said staff plans to apply for REET funds for its 45-unit rental property on North Beach Road on Orcas. The site, called April’s Grove, will consist of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhomes. Construction is scheduled to start in 2019.
To read the full article from the Islands’ Sounder click here.
In mid-November site work began on April’s Grove, OPAL’s planned 45-home rental neighborhood, when Island Excavating began clearing brush and felling trees. The crew is working carefully to remove trees where buildings will be constructed while maintaining the “preserve and protect” areas surrounding the trees and undergrowth that will remain.
Also in November, OPAL’s general contractor, Dawson Construction, solicited bids from subcontractors. The majority of bids came in over budget, with numerous trades having not submitted bids at all.
It is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to a valued member of the OPAL community. Homeowner and trustee, Ian Van Gelder passed away on Nov 21. Ian was involved with OPAL from the very beginning, and was one of the first homeowners at Opal Commons, where he lived with his family until his passing.
We are so grateful for the time, hard work and leadership that Ian shared with us throughout his almost 30 year involvement with OPAL. He will be greatly missed.
Kim Malcolm from KUOW spoke with Lisa Byers about the lack of affordable housing in San Juan County and the importance of voting Yes on Proposition 1 this November.
With the largest grant in it’s history, the OICF Board generously contributed $250,000 to OPAL’s April’s Grove affordable rental project.
This week OPAL’s board of trustees submitted a letter to the editor of the Islands’ Sounder in support of Proposition 1.
OPAL Community Land Trust will soon start to remove trees at the April’s Grove property. Jeanne Beck and Lisa Byers have worked for OPAL for most of its 28 years so they understand taking down trees may be hard to witness. OPAL is striving to keep as many of the existing trees as possible and hopes knowing more about the planning and design process will help ease the transition.
For the full Islands’ Sounder Guest Editorial by Jeanne and Lisa click here.
With activity commencing on the April’s Grove site this fall, we at OPAL have begun compiling a list of email addresses for interested parties who would like updates on all things April’s Grove. If you are interested in receiving email updates about what is happening on the April’s Grove site please contact our Communications Manager, Crystal Mossman at crystal@opalclt.org.